SHEETS.--Broadly there are no fine distinctions to be made at present in the grading of smoked-sheet rubber; it is either No. 1, or if any so-called defect is visible the sheets must be rejected and plainly marked as "off-quality." Clippings (trimmings) may either be made into crepe or shipped under their own description. RUBBER GROWERS' ASSOCIATION'S RECOMMENDATIONS.--Taking the foregoing arguments into full consideration, it would seem that, strictly speaking, the number of grades cannot be reduced to less than four at present without producing some amount of confusion. In its handbook,[15] the Rubber Growers' Association remarks: [15] "Preparation of Plantation Rubber," 1917. "The fewer grades the better, and regularity of each grade is most important. "The grading should be as follows: "(No. 1) Fine crepe (or No. 1 sheet), made from the free or liquid latex. "(No. 2) Clean light brown crepe, made from lumps and skimmings. "(No. 3) Scrap crepe, made from tree-scrap. "(No. 4) Dark crepe, made from bark-shavings, earth rubber, and the lower quality of scrap. "Tacky rubber should be packed separately. "_Compound Scrap Crepe._--Estates using scrap-washers should make a compound crepe of grades Nos. 2 and 3, which will make one compound free from bark and specks. All rubber intended for No. 4 should be most thoroughly washed." Concerning these recommendations the remarks in preceding paragraphs should be studied. CARE IN SORTING.--Whether dealing with smoked-sheet, pale crepe, or lower grades, the strictest care is necessary in sorting and grading. This work must of necessity be relegated to coolies, and they should be trained men. Instructions must be definite, and doubtful specimens of rubber should always be placed aside for the decision of the European superintendent. Any pieces showing unmistakable signs of what are regarded as defects should be stringently rejected. In the case of pale crepe, when the defect is confined only to a small area it is permissible to cut out the affected portion. Similarly there can be no objection, in the case of smoked sheets, to an occasional sheet being treated in this manner. On the majority of estates these rules are observed carefully, but some estates yet have to learn that defective pieces of rubber may not be concealed in a bulk of otherwise good quality. Samplers have often an uncanny knack of hitting upon the defective specimens, and it is entirely the fault of the estate's sorters if these pieces are submitted as being representative of the mass.